Sun allergy: If blisters form, you will recognize them immediately

Created: 06/23/2022, 12:00 p.m

By: Jasmin Pospiech

Red spots, itching and burning: Those who often develop symptoms in summer have very sensitive skin.

Or even a sun allergy?

Munich – Many are looking forward to the hot summer days after the long winter.

Now life is taking place outside again, you can do more or just relax by a lake or in the garden.

In addition, the feeling of the sun's rays on the skin makes you happy and healthy.

After all, we can recharge our "energy batteries", this also applies to our empty vitamin D stores.

But UV radiation also has its pitfalls, especially if you are in the sun for a long time without protection and/or have sensitive skin.

Sun allergy: If blisters form, you will recognize them immediately

In the case of a sun allergy, adults and children should slowly get their skin used to the sun (symbol image).

© Christin Klose/picture alliance/dpa

Some have to struggle with all sorts of skin complaints after their stay.

Sometimes the skin even hurts.

If this happens more frequently, those affected ask themselves the question: Do I have a sun allergy?

Strictly speaking, however, it is not a classic allergy or overreaction of the body.

Rather, sun allergy is a collective term for various diseases that trigger a skin reaction as a result of sunlight.

Our skin only protects us to a certain degree from aggressive UV radiation. People who have a defective protective mechanism can then experience the following symptoms:

• skin itching

• Burn

• blisters

• wheals

• skin redness

This means that the skin reacts hypersensitively to sun exposure, most of those affected turn red as if they were sunburned.

Normally, when sunlight hits the skin, the body produces more skin pigment, also called melanin.

This ensures that we tan and at the same time protects the genetic material of the cells from the harmful UVA and UVB rays of the sun.

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Sun allergy: How to prevent it

The most common form of sun allergy is polymorphic light eruption (PLD).

According to the "Ärzteblatt", ten to 20 percent of the population in Western Europe suffers from it.

Young women with light skin types and many (small) children are particularly affected.

Difficult to diagnose properly is that symptoms can be delayed, sometimes hours or days after sun exposure.

In principle, it is therefore advisable for vulnerable groups of people to stay out of the sun and prefer to seek out the shade.

You should also apply sunscreen with a high sun protection factor to uncovered parts of the body and otherwise cover the skin with long-sleeved, thick clothing.

In addition, to avoid sunstroke, you should cover your head with a hat.

This article only contains general information on the respective health topic and is therefore not intended for self-diagnosis, treatment or medication.

In no way does it replace a visit to the doctor.

Unfortunately, our editors are not allowed to answer individual questions about clinical pictures.